If a person receives an unfavorable administrative decision when seeking social services, the exclusive remedy is a petition in the superior court. (Welfare and Institutions Code section 10962.) That statute also provides: “The applicant or recipient shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, if he obtains a decision in his favor.” In this case, a county social services recipient was unsuccessful in the administrative hearing process, but prevailed in the superior court writ of mandate action. The recipient then moved for attorney fees incurred in the superior court and in the underlying administrative proceedings as well. The appellate court held: “[W]e determine section 10962 permits a party to recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in the writ of mandate proceeding, but not fees incurred in the administrative hearing process.” (K.I. v. John A. Wagner, Director of Social Services (Cal. App. Fourth Dist., Div. 1; May 2, 2014)225 Cal.App.4th 1412.)
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